Mustique

Mustique is unique among St. Vincent's Grenadines. It is a privately owned island that has been developed as an area of holiday homes for the wealthy. Mansions with tennis courts and swimming pools sit on rolling grassy hills and long lawns stretch to sandy beaches. Each house lies in spacious grounds; there are only about 80 vacation homes on the whole island, plus one hotel, a guest house, one beach bar, a few boutiques, a small local village and a fishing camp. A roll call of those who have owned property reveals some glamorous names, including Princess Margaret, Mick Jagger, David Bowie, and Raquel Welch. Parts of the island are wild; other areas are well tended. About half the houses are available for rent when the owners are not in residence. Many older homes were designed by Oliver Messel and are delightful to look at, with a showy but dignified appeal. As you would expect for an island of this type, prices are rather high as everything has to come in from the outside.